It’s getting hotter again. Summer begins early in Michigan. By-passing most of spring, we get an accelerated blossoming season, with small blooms on barely budding tree branches, tulips struggle to push their heads through the layer of earth, worms party on the sidewalks under the rain, grey skies roil and whirl. Cool winds and chilling raindrops disappear after a few weeks. Chilly nights quickly give way to golden skies and bodies throwing blankets from skin in the sweltering night air. We walk about in the house with as little clothing on, sweating through restrictive, seemingly too-thick cotton. Victims to the heat, we fall into mid-afternoon torpor on lazy Sundays, eyes drifting closed, lids fluttering weakly in our efforts to stay awake. We awaken to late spring thunderstorms, warm night air, laden thickly with moisture.

I start daydreaming for the days of electric, cool winds snapping in the air and leaves rustling along the ground, caught in eddying currents against walls and alleyways and crimson canopies overhead.

Isn’t that the way with me? I’m always looking to something else for happiness.

So I put in effort. Be one with spring and summer. Tie that same yellow and green paisley scarf about my neck in a jaunty bow. Slip on plastic mustard-sunshiny shoes that infuse bubble gum fragrance into the air. I don light gauzy shirts with ruffles at the sleeves. Effort. Bright. Be bright.

Be summer. Shine. Exude. Sunlight. Summer.

{ outfit architecture: Ruffle gauze top, belt, Target. Skirt, Forever 21. Yellow tank, H & M. Scarf, Old Navy. Shoes, Vivienne Westwood Anglomania + Melissa shoes. }